Reach for the Stars

Lesson Overview

Subject: PSHE
Year Group: Year 4
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 24 students
Curriculum Link: PSHE Association Programme of Study for KS2

• Core Theme 1: Health and Wellbeing
• Learning Outcomes:
  • Recognise their own strengths and aspirations.
  • Develop self-belief and resilience.
  • Understand how effort and perseverance help achieve goals.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:
✅ Identify their personal strengths and future aspirations.
✅ Understand the importance of perseverance and growth mindset.
✅ Express their goals creatively through an engaging art activity.

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Lesson Structure

Starter – Circle Time Discussion (15 minutes)

Resources: A soft ball (for turn-taking), ‘Reach for the Stars’ prompt cards

1. Warm-Up Question:

   • Begin with a question: "If you could be anything when you grow up, what would it be and why?"
   • Pass the soft ball around for each student to answer.

2. Growth Mindset Concept:

   • Explain the idea of working hard to achieve aspirations (link to famous figures like athletes, authors, or scientists).
   • Discuss how setbacks are part of learning and not a sign of failure.

3. Think-Pair-Share Activity:

   • Students partner up and discuss: “What skill do you have now that you have improved at over time?”
   • Bring responses back to the circle for a brief discussion.

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Main Activity – ‘Dream Star’ Art Project (30 minutes)

Resources: A3 black paper, coloured chalks, metallic pens, stickers, glue, pre-cut star templates

1. Introduction (5 mins):

   • Show an example of a ‘Dream Star’ – a star with words and drawings representing personal goals and strengths.
   • Explain: “Your dreams and goals are like stars. They may seem far away, but with effort, you can reach them!”

2. Creating the ‘Dream Star’ (20 mins):

   • Students write future aspirations inside their star: “What do I want to be?”, “What makes me special?”, “What will I work hard at?”
   • Decorate edges with resilience-related words (e.g., determined, creative, problem-solver).
   • Use chalk to create a galaxy-like background, representing limitless possibilities.

3. Reflection (5 mins):

   • Each student shares one word from their star that describes their aspiration or strength.
   • Display the stars as a ‘Reach for the Stars’ classroom constellation.

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Plenary – Positive Affirmations Circle (10 minutes)

1. Standing Circle:
   • Each student says an encouraging phrase about the class: “We are all…” (e.g., capable, brave, hardworking).
2. Teacher Wrap-Up:
   • Reinforce the lesson message: “Dreams might take time, but step by step, you are reaching your stars.”
   • Link to real-life class activities that promote persistence (e.g., learning difficult spellings, solving maths problems).

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Assessment & Differentiation

✅ Formative assessment: Through responsive questioning and student participation in discussions.
✅ Art-based assessment: Review students' ‘Dream Stars’ to understand aspirations and self-reflections.

Differentiation:
🔹 If needed, provide starter sentence stems for hesitant students (e.g., “I am good at…”).
🔹 Allow children with fine motor difficulties to use stickers or pre-drawn symbols.
🔹 Offer challenge questions to deepen discussion (e.g., “What challenges might you face on your way to success?”).

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Resources & Materials

🎨 Creative Materials: A3 black paper, chalks, metallic pens, pre-cut stars, glue, stickers
📖 Discussion Aids: Growth mindset story/quote prompts
🔵 Circle Time Props: Soft ball for turn-taking

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Teacher Reflection

• What aspirations did students identify?
• Were students able to articulate their strengths and efforts?
• How engaged were they in the discussion and art activity?
• Any adaptations needed for next time?

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Final Thought

🌟 Every child in your class is a star in the making. This lesson helps them see that their future is full of possibilities – they just have to keep reaching! 🌟